TOP LOCAL News
By SUBMITTED CONTENT
January 8, 2026
HILLSDALE—The Town of Hillsdale announced the substantial completion of a critical upgrade to its sewer system to address an emergency failure and modernize the wastewater treatment system. The work was made possible on an expedited schedule and at minimal cost to the town’s sewer district thanks ...
PITTSFIELD, MA–Greylock Federal Credit Union has announced the hiring of Vice President, Controller Meghann Arnold, who joins the finance team. “We are excited for Meghann to join our organization, as she brings over a decade of experience in public accounting,” said Michael King, senior vice ...
On Tuesday, December 30, the Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail (CFET) commemorated the 5th anniversary of the opening of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail with the presentation of a December 30, 2020 ribbon cutting photo to former Empire State Trail Director Andy Beers. The event was held at ...
HUDSON--The state’s Health Commissioner has just announced that the past week saw more flu hospitalizations (some 4,500) than we have ever seen recorded before. Looking around at friends and family confirms to us that the flu is very much with us right now, and this year’s strain seems to spread ...
HUDSON—State and local officials, along with many friends, family, community members and supporters came out to the inauguration event for the county’s new sheriff, Jackie Salvatore. The county courthouse was so full with audience members that they had to add an overflow room in another courtroom ...
HUDSON--The Columbia County Board of Supervisors wrapped up 2025 at its year end meeting December 30 and kicked off 2026 at its organizational meeting January 2, where it re-elected Matt Murell (Stockport) its chairman in a this-time divided vote. In the December meeting, departing supervisors ...
HUDSON--Just before the year ended, The Columbia Paper met with the county’s chief budget-makers – Matt Murell, chair of the Board of Supervisors, P.J. Keeler, County Treasurer, and Jim Breig, County Controller – and they detailed the expenses and revenues in the 2026 operating budget. (They also ...
Sheriff Salvatore, the first woman of color to be elected sheriff in the state of New York, promised to “give you my best every day,” and said she was “honored and humbled” by the number of people who voted for her. “Thank you for entrusting me with the most powerful tool in our democracy – your ...
ALBANY--New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) have announced the theme for the annual water conservation poster contest for middle school students: “Water Connects Us All.” The 2026 poster ...
CHATHAM - Chatham Middle School announces its November Students of the Month, who showed outstanding organizational skills, the school's character theme of the month. These students have demonstrated responsibility, stayed prepared, and managed their time and materials effectively - skills that ...
CHATHAM - The Chatham Central School District has released the names of the Chatham High School students on the Honor Roll for the 1st quarter of the 2025-26 school year.Students on the honors list must have an unweighted grade point average (GPA) for the marking period of 85 or above with all ...
HUDSON--Has the time come for Columbia County to introduce a County Administrator into its Board of Supervisors form of government?That’s the question Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell is interested in having answered. To that end, Chairman Matt Murell (Stockport) plans to create a ...
HUDSON — Meals on Wheels, new opioid settlement funds, educational institutions, workforce housing on foreclosed land, and the Hudson-Greenport Shopping Shuttle bus received attention at the Columbia County Board of Supervisors meeting December 10. This was the same meeting where the board approved ...
ALBANY—The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) reminds people of the dangers they need to be aware of and the ways they can keep their families safe this holiday season.The possibility of a Christmas tree fire is not at the forefront of most people’s minds when they are ...
CHATHAM--The Chatham Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a committee of the Town of Chatham with a mission to maintain the long-term viability of agriculture in the town. CAP provides direct connection between the farming community, town government, and the community at large. The committee maintains ...
HUDSON--Partners for Climate Action (PCA) has announced 13 new partnerships with Hudson Valley farms and municipalities for the creation of pollinator habitat. With up to 60% of New York native pollinators facing extinction due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and other forms of environmental ...
ALBANY—Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) from across the state participated in the annual “No Shave November” fundraising campaign to help raise awareness for men’s health and the importance of regular medical screenings.Participants were also able to donate through the New York ...
CHATHAM--The murals, created by children in the Morris Memorial after school program and Super Stories, were recently installed in both the upstairs and downstairs windows surrounding the gymnasium, resulting in a bright and fun atmosphere for the hundreds of students and community members using ...
LIVINGSTON—New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James has appointed Daniel P. Smith, 49, of East Fishkill, as the 39th Troop Commander of Troop K, according to a December 18 press release.Major Smith steps into the position previously held by Major Mark Nielson since his appointment ...
The morning of December 21, members of Copake Fire conducted cold water/ice rescue drills at the Ore Pit Pond in Taconic State Park, Copake Falls. Conditions were perfect for training on thin ice and collapsing ice conditions, which can be extremely challenging for rescuers when trying to reach a ...
HUDSON--The Columbia County Board of Supervisors adopted the county’s 2026 budget at its full board meeting December 10. At the same meeting, the board approved 2026 salaries for itself and various county officials. These two annual measures call for increases in total expenditures, the total tax ...
The Morris Memorial building on Park Row in the Village of Chatham is a great after-school hang-out for kids. It is overseen and wrangled by Michael West with lots of capable helpers. He had the idea to bring color and life to the blank walls around the gymnasium and contacted artists Romiro ...
Calendar of EventsTo have an event listed here, send the information (including date, time, street address and cost if any) via email to news@columbiapaper.com at least two weeks before the event.Because of the high volume of workshop listing requests, we can list only workshops that are free, ...
SPENCERTOWN-- The classic Christmas tale “A Christmas Carol” will be performed on Saturday, December 20 at 4 p.m. at St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, 5219 County Route 7. It will be told by master storyteller Tim Coombs using Dickens’ own words in a one-man show that is kid friendly and kid fun.
The Philmont Library hosts winter suncatchers workshopsBring light and color inside your home with a handmade suncatcher. The library, 101 Main Street, is hosting two workshops for all ages. Monday, December 29, at 3:30 p.m., the workshop is for children 7 and up; and on Saturday, January 3, at ...
HUDSON--Presented in partnership with Operation Unite NY, Hudson Hall, 327 Warren Street, hosts a Kwanzaa Umoja Community Celebration on December 20. Come celebrate African-American culture and unity with friends and family. Join them for an afternoon of arts and crafts for children, dancing, ...
GERMANTOWN—The library is hosting an author talk and book signing with Michel Arnaud and Jane Creech, authors of “Upstate Now: Art, Design, and Rural Life in the Hudson Valley and Catskills” on January 24, 2 to 3 p.m.The event will be in the Germantown Library’s Hoover Room at 31 Palatine Park ...
KINDERHOOK--The 13th celebration of Lessons & Carols in Kinderhook will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 21 at the Kinderhook Reformed Church, 21 Broad Street (US Route 9).Since its founding in 2010, this well-established tradition has proven popular throughout the region, having drawn thousands ...
CRARYVILLE--The Hudson Valley Academy of Performing Arts (HVAPA) will be presenting its 15th annual production of “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, December 20 at the Taconic Hills Performing Arts Center, 73 County Route 11A, at 2 and 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.hvapa.com, and will also be ...
COLUMBIA COUNTY—Churches around the county open their doors for Christmas services:*Ghent Reformed Church, 1039 County Route 22, West Ghent, December 24, 6 p.m., Christmas Eve Service, Church members wish everyone a blessed holiday season, all are welcome, 518-828-5946*Kinderhook Reformed Church, ...